LAS VEGAS, Feb. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Gas Corporation (NYSE: SWX)
announced consolidated earnings of $1.28 per share for 1999, $0.38 less than
the $1.66 per share earned in 1998. Consolidated net income for 1999 was
$39.3 million, compared to $47.5 million during 1998. Average shares
outstanding increased 2.1 million between periods. The Company added a record
65,700 new customers in 1999.

According to Michael O. Maffie, President and Chief Executive Officer,
current-year results were in line with Company expectations. "The decrease in
earnings was attributed to a return to more normal weather conditions from
last year's colder-than-normal temperatures. Operating margin in 1998 was
about $20 million higher than expected due to weather. If results were
normalized for weather, our 1999 earnings would show a modest improvement over
1998."

Operating margin decreased $9 million, or two percent, in 1999.
Differences in heating demand between periods caused a $23 million reduction
in operating margin. Customer growth mitigated the impact of weather as the
Company added nearly 66,000, or five percent, more customers over the last
12 months, contributing $14 million in incremental margin. The 1999 customer
additions were a record for the Company, surpassing the 63,800 customers who
signed up for service during 1996.

Operating expenses, excluding merger-related costs, increased $16 million,
or five percent, as a result of continued expansion and upgrading of the gas
system to accommodate customer growth. During 1999, the Company invested
$208 million in its gas system.

In January 2000, ONEOK, Inc. terminated a December 1998 merger agreement
with the Company. Operating results for 1999 included merger-related costs of
$2.5 million, net of tax, which reduced earnings per share by $0.08.

Net interest deductions were $687,000 under last year. Strong cash flows
related to the recovery of deferred purchased gas costs, particularly during
the first half of the year, reduced the need for new borrowings to finance
construction. This trend is not expected to continue into 2000 as additional
financing will be needed to fund construction.

During the fourth quarter of 1999, consolidated net income was
$28.8 million, or $0.93 per share, versus $25 million, or $0.83 per share, for
the fourth quarter of 1998. Operating income was $6.1 million less than the
prior year due to lower operating margin, resulting from weather variations
between periods, and higher operating expenses. However, the timing of the
resolution of certain matters affecting both quarters, including the
termination of the merger, resulted in lower income tax expense between
periods, which more than offset the decrease in operating income.

Southwest Gas Corporation provides natural gas to approximately 1,274,000
customers in Arizona, Nevada, and California. Its service territories are
centered in the fastest-growing region of the country.